Kentville’s fire chief says a fat fryer was to blame for a fire at the Coldbrook McDonald’s. Ryan MacEachern said June 18 his department was paged to the scene at 11:13 a.m. with a report of a structure fire.

Flames got into the fire suppression system in the kitchen, he said, but firefighters were able to knock it down. MacEachern said no further extension of the fire was found and crews were able to clear the scene was cleared at around 2 p.m.

MacEachern said there was some damage to fryer area that would likely keep the restaurant closed temporarily.

The chief said the incident was “handled well” by McDonald’s staff.

There is also a Needs Convenience and Shell gas station in the building at the corner of Highway 1 and Newcombe Boulevard.

“The other store will be able to operate with a little cleanup,” MacEachern said. McDonald’s staff gathered on the other side of Highway 1 while firefighters responded, but declined to comment on the incident. Calls to the restaurant’s management have not yet been returned.

Firefighters from Waterville and New Minas responded in mutual aid. The RCMP also responded to the scene to provide traffic control. While Highway 1 was closed at the height of emergency crews’ response, Kings Transit buses were diverted along Brooklyn Street.